Page 28 of Mortis

A lightbulb practically exploded above my head. I turned back towards the Beast. He was watching me with open curiosity, head tilted slightly to one side. Like a wolf trying to solve a puzzle.

“What is occurring in that small mind of yours, mortal?”

“Okay, one . . . rude. And two, I think I’ve got an idea.” I waved a dismissive hand. “Back in your box, beastie. I need the other one.”

“Why?”

His eyes narrowed.

I narrowed mine right back.

“You want food that’ll actually satisfy you, and I think I know how. But I need the other one to help me.”

A grin tugged at my mouth.

“You gave him until dawn, didn’t you?” I pointed at the clock. It was almost three. “He’s still got a few hours.” My lips stretched into a smirk. “Or are you a liar who doesn’t keep His word?”

The Beast snarled and the sound vibrated through the room.

Before I could react, He leaned down until I could feel the warmth of His breath against my face. A clawed hand rose and his thumb and forefinger caught my chin. Not hard, just enough to keep me still. The tips of His talons barely grazed my skin.

“Be careful, mortal,” He rumbled. “That mouth of yours will get you in trouble one day.”

One claw brushed lightly across my lower lip and my breath caught. Only for a second, but it was enough. The Beast noticed and His smirk deepened.

Then the crimson glow faded from His eyes.

The tension disappeared from His shoulders.

And the anxious monster returned.

He released my chin with a start and stumbled backwards, red eyes wide. He looked me up and down as though checking I was still in one piece.

“That was reckless.”

I shrugged. “It’s all good.”

I clapped my hands, making him jump. The sound echoed around the embalming room with a crack.

“Right.” I rubbed my palms together. “We’ve got things to do and not a lot of time to do them.”

The monster nodded, and I realised I still didn’t know his name. I couldn’t keep calling him the monster. It felt rude.

“I refuse to be speciesist,” I muttered to myself.

“What?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head. “First things first. What’s your name?”

He didn’t answer right away. His thick eyebrows shot upwards, as though the question had caught him off guard. I wondered if anyone had asked him that before. Then again, I doubted being eaten left much time for introductions.

“It’s . . .” He hesitated, and I briefly wondered if he’d forgotten it altogether. “It’s Kael.”

He spoke the name slowly, turning it over on his tongue as though he hadn’t used it in years.

“Nice to meet you, Kael.” A small smile tugged at my mouth. “I’m Theodore, but everyone calls me Teddy.”

“Teddy,” he repeated.